Michael Ryan

Vice President
Middle East Institute

Dr. Ryan joined the Middle East Institute as Vice President on January 2, 2008 after serving in the federal government for over 29 years. Before joining MEI, Dr. Ryan served as the Vice President for Administration and Finance in the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Dr. Ryan worked as a political military analyst specializing in the Middle East and North Africa for the Department of Defense. He made numerous high level presentations on regional security issues in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as published articles on US military assistance to the region. Dr. Ryan received the Defense Intelligence Agency’s highest civilian award for his analysis during the Iran-Iraq war.

Dr. Ryan also served as Executive Director and Controller of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and acted as Deputy Assistant Secretary. He later joined the Environmental Protection Agency, where he served as Controller, Deputy Chief Financial Officer. While at State and EPA, Dr. Ryan received numerous awards including EPA’s Distinguished Career Award. He received his BA from St. John’s College in Annapolis and his PhD from Harvard University.